Last data update: Sep 16, 2024. (Total: 47680 publications since 2009)
Records 1-5 (of 5 Records) |
Query Trace: Dannenberg AL [original query] |
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Characteristics of health impact assessments reported in Australia and New Zealand 2005-2009
Haigh F , Harris E , Chok HNG , Baum F , Harris-Roxas B , Kemp L , Spickett J , Keleher H , Morgan R , Harris M , Wendel AM , Dannenberg AL . Aust N Z J Public Health 2013 37 (6) 534-546 OBJECTIVE: To describe the use and reporting of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) in Australia and New Zealand between 2005 and 2009. METHODS: We identified 115 HIAs undertaken in Australia and New Zealand between 2005 and 2009. We reviewed 55 HIAs meeting the study's inclusion criteria to identify characteristics and appraise the quality of the reports. RESULTS: Of the 55 HIAs, 31 were undertaken in Australia and 24 in New Zealand. The HIAs were undertaken on plans (31), projects (12), programs (6) and policies (6). Compared to Australia, a higher proportion of New Zealand HIAs were on policies and plans and were rapid assessments done voluntarily to support decision-making. In both countries, most HIAs were on land use planning proposals. Overall, 65% of HIA reports were judged to be adequate. CONCLUSION: This study is the first attempt to empirically investigate the nature of the broad range of HIAs done in Australia and New Zealand and has highlighted the emergence of HIA as a growing area of public health practice. It identifies areas where current practice could be improved and provides a baseline against which future HIA developments can be assessed. IMPLICATIONS: There is evidence that HIA is becoming a part of public health practice in Australia and New Zealand across a wide range of policies, plans and projects. The assessment of quality of reports allows the development of practical suggestions on ways current practice may be improved. The growth of HIA will depend on ongoing organisation and workforce development in both countries. |
The role of physicians in promoting healthier built environments
Dannenberg AL , Wu P , Frumkin H . Am J Prev Med 2013 44 (6) e67-9 The normal physician treats the problem; the good physician treats the person; the best physician treats the community. | —Chinese proverb | | Most physicians work in clinical settings, providing one-to-one care to their patients. However, physicians long have recognized that involvement with community-level concerns can be necessary and appropriate to help address broad health-related issues. Some of the most important health advances, such as smoking restrictions, seat belt requirements, bicycle helmets, and environmental lead reduction, have grown out of collaboration between health and community sectors. Physician advocacy has been a key part of these strategies. | Involvement at the community level requires physicians to use a different set of skills than those practiced in the exam room, including advocacy in the community and collaboration with nonmedical disciplines. In exercising these skills, physicians expand their focus from a single patient to all families in the community. More than 90% of physicians in a nationwide survey endorsed community participation, political involvement, and collective advocacy by physicians.1 The current paper presents discussion of what physicians can do to influence the physical design of their communities to yield health benefits for both their patients and all families in their community. Individual motivation and choice are critical in behaviors such as healthy eating and being physically active, but equally important is the concept that “place” makes these behaviors possible. |
Walking associated with public transit: moving toward increased physical activity in the United States
Freeland AL , Banerjee SN , Dannenberg AL , Wendel AM . Am J Public Health 2013 103 (3) 536-42 OBJECTIVES: We assessed changes in transit-associated walking in the United States from 2001 to 2009 and documented their importance to public health. METHODS: We examined transit walk times using the National Household Travel Survey, a telephone survey administered by the US Department of Transportation to examine travel behavior in the United States. RESULTS: People are more likely to transit walk if they are from lower income households, are non-White, and live in large urban areas with access to rail systems. Transit walkers in large urban areas with a rail system were 72% more likely to transit walk 30 minutes or more per day than were those without a rail system. From 2001 to 2009, the estimated number of transit walkers rose from 7.5 million to 9.6 million (a 28% increase); those whose transit-associated walking time was 30 minutes or more increased from approximately 2.6 million to 3.4 million (a 31% increase). CONCLUSIONS: Transit walking contributes to meeting physical activity recommendations. Study results may contribute to transportation-related health impact assessment studies evaluating the impact of proposed transit systems on physical activity, potentially influencing transportation planning decisions. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 17, 2013: e1-e7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.300912). |
Health impact assessment: a comparison of 45 local, national, and international guidelines
Hebert KA , Wendel AM , Kennedy SK , Dannenberg AL . Environ Impact Assess Rev 2012 34 74-82 This article provides a comparison of health impact assessment (HIA) guidelines from around the world and for multiple geographic scales. We identify commonalities and differences within HIA guides to discuss the plausibility of consensus guidelines and to inform guideline development The practice of HIA has grown over the last two decades with a concurrent growth of HIA guides. This study expands on earlier review work and includes guides published since 2007 (Mindell, Boltong and Forde, 2008). From April 2010 to October 2011, 45 HIA guides were identified through an internet search and review of previous research. Common characteristics, key features, and the HIA process were analyzed. The 45 documents recommended similar but not identical processes for conducting HIAs. These analyses suggest that guidelines for HIAs are similar in many areas of the world and that new HIA practitioners can use these findings to inform their approach. Further discussion is needed to determine if the approaches established in these guidelines are followed and if one set of common guidelines could be written for use in numerous countries and regions. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Health impact assessment of the Atlanta BeltLine
Ross CL , Leone de Nie K , Dannenberg AL , Beck LF , Marcus MJ , Barringer J . Am J Prev Med 2012 42 (3) 203-13 BACKGROUND: Although a health impact assessment (HIA) is a tool that can provide decision makers with recommendations to promote positive health impacts and mitigate adverse health impacts of proposed projects and policies, it is not routinely conducted on most major projects or policies. PURPOSE: To make health a decision criterion for the Atlanta BeltLine, a multibillion-dollar transit, trails, parks, and redevelopment project. METHODS: An HIA was conducted in 2005-2007 to anticipate and influence the BeltLine's effect on health determinants. RESULTS: Changes in access and equity, environmental quality, safety, social capital, and physical activity were forecast, and steps to maximize health benefits and reduce negative effects were recommended. Key recommendations included giving priority to the construction of trails and greenspace rather than residential and retail construction, making health an explicit goal in project priority setting, adding a public health professional to decision-making boards, increasing the connectivity between the BeltLine and civic spaces, and ensuring that affordable housing is built. BeltLine project decision makers have incorporated most of the HIA recommendations into the planning process. The HIA was cited in the awarding of additional funds of $7,000,000 for brownfield clean-up and greenspace development. The project is expected to promote the health of local residents more than in the absence of the HIA. CONCLUSIONS: This report is one of the first HIAs to tie specific assessment findings to specific recommendations and to identifiable impacts from those recommendations. The lessons learned from this project may help others engaged in similar efforts. |
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